Identification of lncRNAs involved in wheat tillering development in two pairs of near-isogenic lines

Emerging evidence demonstrates that lncRNAs participate in various developmental processes in plants via post-transcription regulation. However, few lncRNAs have been identified as regulators of tiller development in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, high-throughput ribosomal depleted RNA sequencing was performed on the tillering nodes of two pairs of near-isogenic lines that differed only in the tillering trait. We identified 5399 lncRNA transcripts using bioinformational analyses. KEGG pathway analysis revealed 74 common differentially expressed lncRNAs substantially enriched in photosynthesis-related, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, phosphatidylinositol signaling, brassinosteroid biosynthesis, zeatin biosynthesis, and carotenoid biosynthesis pathways. Detailed functional annotations of target genes were used to identify 27 tillering-associated lncRNAs. Among these, 10 were in photosynthesis-related pathways; 15 were in secondary metabolite pathways; and 8 were in plant hormone pathways, with 6 enriched in two kinds of pathways. These findings contribute to identifying tillering-associated lncRNAs in wheat and enable further investigation into the functions and roles of key candidate lncRNAs, and more experimental evidence was also needed if breeders wanted to utilize these candidate lncRNAs in wheat crop yield improvement in the future.